It was tough sledding for the Battlefords North Stars as they started their exhibition schedule Sunday in Bonnyville, Alta.
Taking on a Bonnyville Pontiacs team that had already played in four games, the North Stars were unable to claw back from a four-goal deficit after 40 minutes and dropped a 5-2 decision to the Alberta Junior Hockey League club.
The North Stars were down 2-1 following the first period, but the Pontiacs would find the net on three occasions in the following frame to pull away.
Arizona State Sun Devils recruit Derek Brown led the way for the hosts with two goals, while Brandon Whistle, Riley Smith and Isaac Saniga also found the back of the net.
Josh Sielsky and Blake Fennig replied in the loss for the North Stars, who split goaltending duties between Jake Davidson and Dawson Rodin.
The two sides will be squaring off again Monday evening at the Civic Centre, with the opening faceoff set for 7:30 p.m.
Sunday Pre-Season Round-Up
After giving up three third period goals in a 3-2 loss at home a night earlier to the Flin Flon Bombers, the Nipawin Hawks earned a measure of revenge on their Sherwood Division rivals with a 6-3 victory at the Whitney Forum.
Austin Mikesch led the way for the Hawks on offence with two goals and two assists each while Jordan Simoneau found the back of the night twice.
Former Battlefords Stars netminder Lance Alm got the start for the Hawks and made 14 saves on 17 shots, two of which were scored by Bombers offensive pace-setter Chrystopher Collin.
In Sunday’s other exhibition affair, 2002-born forward and recently signed Everett Silvertips prospect Jackson Berezowski had the only goal for the Yorkton Terriers as Dakota Berezowski and Bryce Schiebel combined for a 1-0 shutout win at home over the Melville Millionaires.
In addition to the North Stars and Pontiac rematch, three other games will take place Monday.
The Terriers and Millionaires will square off in Monday, while the Melfort Mustangs will begin their pre-season by hosting the Hawks.
The other matchup will see the EstevaIn n Bruins and Notre Dame Hounds start their exhibition slates in Wilcox.
Haugen Staying Put
In off-ice news, the Humboldt Broncos announced Sunday that head coach and general manager Darcy Haugan had signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2019-20 campaign.
After taking over from current Swift Current Broncos assistant coach Ryan Smith in August 2015 following a 12-year stint with the North Peace Navigators in Peace River, B.C., Haugan has compiled a 48-61-5-2 record so far in Humboldt and helped the team reach the quarter-finals last season.
